Done Deal! Rachid Ghezzal completes Arsenal deal on a free transfer

According to a report in the Daily Star, Arsenal are in talks with Rachid Ghezzal over a potential free transfer move from Lyon at the end of the season but we’ll face stiff competition for his signature.

Ghezzal has been with Lyon since joining their youth system in 1997 and after initially struggling to make an impression, he eventually forced his way in to the first team set-up on a regular basis last season.

The 24-year-old ended up scoring 10 goals and providing 9 assists in his 38 appearances last term and is an established part of the starting eleven this season but his future at Lyon is in serious doubt.

The Algerian international’s contract is due to expire in June and the Daily Star are citing a report from Foot Mercato that claims the French club have offered him a fresh deal worth £65,000-a-week.

However, Ghezzal has so far refused to sign the extension that is on the table and is now discussing terms with clubs outside of France about a free transfer move this summer.

The report claims that Arsenal are one of the clubs in negotiations with the attackers camp about a potential switch to north London at the end of the season but we’ll supposedly face competition from the likes of Atletico Madrid, Valencia, AC Milan and Everton.

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas admitted last month that contract negotiations with Ghezzal were complicated and he didn’t see them being wrapped-up any time soon.

“The negotiation is very complicated. I do not imagine it will finish quickly.” Aulas is quoted as saying by the Daily Star.

Ghezzal is clearly a talented boy who has a bright future ahead of him. He’s predominantly played on the right wing but he’s also capable of playing anywhere across the attacking positions, so he’d be a very useful player to have in the squad if we could snap him up on a free transfer.